Jul 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Ryan Braun is introduced before an alumni game at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Welcome back! The Brewers are following today’s regular game with what they’re calling an Alumni Legends Game, a very fun concept after the success of last season’s Alumni Home Run Derby. Stick around after the game to see franchise legends like Ryan Braun, Geoff Jenkins, Jeff Bianchi, and Brad Boxberger!
In all seriousness, this should be a great time as we see some of our favorite Brewers from the 21st century, including a few who we don’t often see in Milwaukee. Personally, I’m jazzed to see Richie Sexson, Bill Hall, Dan Kolb, and Doug Davis. Full rosters below.
The stage is set. The Legends are ready.
Come out to tomorrow's Legends Game to watch these guys compete after our game vs. the Rockies — and enjoy $2.50 beers and brats before first pitch
Jul 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Brewers and Rockies kicked off a series this afternoon at American Family Field, and while the Brewers never looked out of it and had far more hard contact in the game than the Rockies did, things just weren’t going their way. A couple of solo home runs were all that Milwaukee could muster, and the Rockies’ early offense against starter Shane Drohan held up.
It was an inauspicious start. After a Jake McCarthy strikeout started the game, Kyle Karros hit a blooper down the right field line that fell right in the middle of Luis Lara, Jake Bauers, and Brice Turang, just inside the foul line. Karros ended up on second with a double, and Cole Carrigg, up next, lined one off the wall in left field for an RBI double. Hunter Goodman was up next and hit an RBI single to left, which made it 2-0. Willi Castro was next and hit a ground ball to second that appeared to start an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play, but after a Rockies challenge Castro was ruled safe at first. With two outs, Troy Johnston flew out to center to finally end the inning.
The Brewers were down early, but they’re one of the most comfortable teams in baseball when down early. This became immediately apparent when, in a very encouraging sign, Christian Yelich hit a lead-off bomb against Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano, and it was no cheapie, 413 feet over the bullpen to the opposite field.
Jackson Chourio, who was next, just missed another homer when he got a ball a little off the barrel and flew out to center. Brice Turang followed by smoking a line drive into left field for a one-out single, but Sugano retired William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell to end the inning.
Drohan’s second inning went much better than the first, a three-up, three-down inning with two strikeouts, a feat which Sugano matched in the bottom of the inning. The top of Colorado’s lineup was back at it in the third, though; McCarthy hit a triple into the right-field corner to start things, and Karros followed with a hit into right. Karros went to second but was called out—the Rockies again challenged, but it looked like Karros came off the bag and the call stood. Their lead was up to 3-1, but Drohan got the next two to end the inning.
Yelich almost went deep again with one out in the bottom of the third, but this one hung up on the left-field warning track where McCarthy made a jumping catch. Chourio and Turang hit back-to-back two-out singles, but Contreras flew out to center on a pitch that he clearly felt he should’ve done more with.
Drohan had more traffic to deal with in the fourth. Castro led off with a single, then stole second base. A groundout by Johnston advanced Castro to third, and after a Moniak sac fly, the Rockies had manufactured a run in a very Brewers-esque way. After a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning, the Rockies led 4-1 through four.
The Rockies went down in order in the top of the fifth, but the Brewers did in the bottom of the inning, too, even as Yelich, for the third time in the game, almost went deep with a 392-foot fly ball that was caught on the warning track in center.
Carrigg nearly went deep to right to start the sixth, but Lara made a great leaping catch up against the wall. (It wouldn’t have been a home run, but it would’ve been extra bases.) Drohan walked the next batter, Goodman, on four pitches, but Lara made another nice catch on a first-pitch fly ball down the line by Castro. A flyout by Johnston ended the inning.
Chourio hit a ball hard to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but it was caught in center for the eighth straight Brewer out. But Turang finally ended that streak when he got a hold of one for a long home run to right-center, his 15th, which made the score 4-2. Contreras followed with a single to center and Mitchell worked a seven-pitch walk, which ended the afternoon for Sugano.
With two on and one out in a two-run game, the Rockies turned to right-hander Victor Vodnik. The Brewers countered by bringing on Andrew Vaughn to pinch-hit for Lara. Vaughn worked an 0-2 count back full, but struck out, though both runners advanced to scoring position when the third strike got away from Goodman (who recovered it in time to throw Vaughn out at first). Bauers, though, grounded out with the tying run on second and the inning ended. Milwaukee shrunk the Colorado lead, but they also let a good opportunity to do more go by.
Drohan stayed on to face the left-handed Moniak to start the seventh but walked him, after which Pat Murphy called for Grant Anderson. After Anderson entered, the Rockies went to the bench for the left-handed pinch-hitter TJ Rumfield, a good hitter, who lined an RBI double into the right-field corner to get the run that they gave up in the sixth right back. Ezequiel Tovar did the Brewers a favor by popping up on a bunt attempt for the first out, and McCarthy popped out in foul territory for the second. Karros struck out to end the inning, but with three opportunities left for the Brewer offense, they were down three.
Ortiz, Hamilton, and Yelich all grounded out against Vodnik in the bottom of the seventh. Craig Yoho replaced Anderson in the eighth, and he worked around a one-out walk to pitch a scoreless inning. Contreras hit a two-out single in the bottom of the inning, but the Brewers couldn’t make anything of it. Rumfield and Tovar hit back-to-back one-out singles in the top of the ninth off of Yoho, but McCarthy flew out and Tovar was thrown out trying to steal second.
The Brewers needed three runs in the ninth off of Jordan Romano, in his seventh game with the Rockies. Vaughn started things nicely by lining a single to center on Romano’s second pitch, and after a long at-bat, Bauers singled, too. With two on and nobody out, the Brewers had the tying run at the plate. Ortiz popped out, and pinch-hitter Gary Sánchez struck out. Yelich, who’d nearly homered three times in this game, got a chance with two out, but he flew out to right and the game was over.
It was a tough day—the offense didn’t look great, but Milwaukee also had the top five and nine of the top 11 exit velocities in the game. Balls were just finding gloves. That’s baseball, sometimes.
The bright spot was Turang, who went 3-for-4 with a solo homer. Yelich added a home run, too, and generally just looked more dangerous swinging the bat than he has lately. William Contreras added two singles and the Brewers had nine hits as a team, but the two solo home runs were Milwaukee’s only runs on the day. Drohan didn’t have a great day—he finished with six innings, six hits, two walks, six strikeouts, and five earned runs allowed—but he wasn’t terrible and he gave the Brewers some length. Anderson and Yoho combined for three innings and no earned runs, though Anderson did allow his inherited runner to score.
After this evening’s Alumni Legends Game, our attentions will turn to tomorrow, when the Brewers will look to even the series in a pitching matchup between Robert Gasser and Ryan Feltner at 6:10 p.m.
News of James’ two-year agreement with the 76ers was printed on cardboard and posted by the Topps social media team in conjunction with James in a collaborative Instagram post before any reporter or even the league could get their hands on the information.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was beaten to the punch when James’ free agency decision was released on social media, first posted by Topps trading cards at 11:30 a.m. ET and in tandem with James’ X account post where he gave a sentimental message to his fans.
Topps had this announcement nearly a full minute ahead of Charania, who posted on X that James was taking his talents to Broad Street.
Multiple league sources confirm that the NBA was blindsided by this type of announcement, as Topps posted what appeared to be an already-autographed one-of-one trading card — perhaps signaling that this was in the works for some time.
The card itself that appears on the Instagram post is a real one that exists, but it is not yet autographed, sources with knowledge of the situation told The Post.
The source added that the image has been digitally modified to show what his autograph will look like on the card, and the actual signature on the card will be done in the coming days.
The NBA did not respond to The Post’s request for comment, and no league entities had posted anything on social media regarding James agreeing to sign with the 76ers for a league minimum contract with a player option for a second year.
Shams Charania was out-scooped by Topps trading cards on Friday. TKPUS / SplashNews.com
NBA social media handles, as well as the 76ers’ accounts, have been radio silent, despite the bombshell news that has spread like wildfire.
LeBron James did a live show of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Tyrese Haliburton at Fanatics Fest hosted by Michael Rubin. gram @runamileaminute
Fanatics purchased Topps trading cards in 2022 for $500 million.
While at Fanatics Fest, James dropped a hint that he could be joining the 76ers, telling fans during a live recording of his “Mind The Game” podcast that he wants a team that will “trust the process,” a famous slogan of the 76ers.
Rubin and James recently crossed paths at Rubin’s private luncheon at the 40/40 club in New York City, Page Six reported last week — perhaps leading to this planned announcement between James and Topps.
This is not a player in his prime; this is one who will turn 42 years old seven weeks into the regular season. This is not a max player, but one who will sign a two-year, $8 million deal on the veteran minimum exception. This is not the 45-point Bron who silenced the TD Garden in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals as his team was facing elimination. This is a veteran who, in defiance of his age, remains relevant and productive.
Our expectations of what he can be in his early 40s should reflect all that in kind because LeBron James, at this point in his career, is not a No. 1 or No. 2 option. He’s a complementary player. He’s someone who does many things well, most of all on-ball creation and ball distribution.
So if the 76ers fail to win an NBA championship during James’ tenure there, it should not be weighed as some sprawling indictment on James as a player.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James wrote Friday. “I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game.
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
Paired alongside Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, James will need to carve out his role and will likely have to defer. To make it work, he’ll have to sacrifice his usage rate. This will be new for him.
Let’s take a look, for a moment, at the time another goated icon, Michael Jordan, signed with a new team in the twilight of his career.
After three seasons away from the NBA — his second of three career retirements — Jordan signed with the Washington Wizards in 2001 and played two seasons there. Washington posted a pair of 37-45 seasons with Jordan, who was 38 when he made his Wizards debut, nearly four years younger than James will be when he launches his Sixers tenure.
Jordan did earn a pair of All-Stars in Washington, and he did elevate a team that had won just 19 games the season prior to his arrival.
Yet, the Wizards couldn’t even crack the postseason with Jordan. Granted, those Washington teams were nowhere near as talented as James’ Philadelphia outfit will be, but Jordan’s lack of postseason success in Washington did nothing to mar his legacy.
For whatever reason, James tends to be judged more harshly. Much of this is due to the impossible constraints we place on him and others when debating legacy. We tend to prefer tidy, conventional narratives: players who remain with one team their entire career, players who fit easily-defined roles, players who take pay cuts for the good of the team.
James could become the first player in NBA history to win championships with four different franchises. It would be yet another clear marker of his longevity, excellence and adaptability.
James sacrificed the neater legacy fits (the Cavaliers and Heat) and is taking on a larger risk by joining a new team. Ultimately, these are the very traits — sacrifice, hard work and the pursuit of greatness — that we love to celebrate in sport. Why should James chasing it, at 41 years old, be any different?
“This is my last decision,” he said. “I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 19: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cue the tumbleweed and the ocarina (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Big Tex gets a chance to be bigger than Texas tonight. Bryce Miller, owner of the nickname, will face off against the Rangers in Arlington at 5:05 PT. Since coming back from an oblique strain that cost him the first quarter of the season, Miller has been having the best year of his career. He’s striking out 29.5% of batters while walking just 4.1%, a K-BB% that’s good for fourth-best in MLB (min. 60 IP), nestled right between the folks in the Cy Young conversation. The rest of the top eight is Miz, Skubal, Cease, Wheeler, Schittler, deGrom, and Skenes. Unfortunately, Miller’s fastball velocity, and his results, have been on a downward trajectory over the past month.
He’ll face off against MacKenzie Gore, jewel of the Rangers’ offseason. On one hand, he’s pitched much better than his 4.80 ERA suggests, with xERA, FIP, xFIP, and SIERRA about a full point lower. On the other hand, about 4.00 still isn’t what the Rangers were hoping for. And even worse, he’s historically been a much worse performer in the second half, sort of the anti-Julio.
Lineups
J.P. Crawford is still out of the lineup, so Weston Wilson gets another start at third base. But with Dominic Canzone having worked his way into starts against lefties, the only other change from the typical lineup is that Mitch Garver will DH. It’s masked in his overall stats from all the times he had to face righties while Cal Raleigh was on the IL, but Garver’s been actively good against left-handed pitching this year. He’s at a 107 wRC+ against southpaws, and even amid his decline over the past three years combined, he’s at 114. For context, across MLB, designated hitters have a 108 wRC+ against lefties over the past three seasons.
While this still seems like the same era of Rangers baseball as 2023, this is quite a different looking lineup than their World Series run, especially when Corey Seager’s out.
Game Info
First pitch: 5:05 PDT TV: Mariners TV Radio: Old Reliable
On July 23, The Athletic released its revised lists of the NHL's best and worst contracts, and as expected, the Calgary Flames found themselves on the worst list, but in an odd twist to the rankings, also found themselves on the best list.
As a rebuilding team with good NHL Draft Lottery odds, it is quite surprising to see them with such a bad contract that they'd be on the worst list, since the goal is to be younger and cheaper. Still, there's no denying that Jonathan Huberdeau's $10.5 million salary does complicate bookkeeping at the Saddledome.
With all this negative press about one player's mosterous contract, it kinda overshadows the excitement that the Flames have Dustin Wolf locked up until the next decade on a relatively inexpensive deal. If he happens to win the Vezina Trophy before his deal expires in 2033, there's no denying his $7.5 million could be considered the heist of the century.
Today, we discuss why these deals popped up on The Athletic's lists and what it means long term for the organization as they move into Scotia Place next season.
Huberdeau's contract continues to be the NHL's worst
For the third consecutive year, Huberdeau's $84 million contract, which pays him $10.5 million annually, ranks as the league's worst contract. After scoring 115 points in 2021-22, he came to Calgary via a trade and was immediately signed to a blockbuster deal.
In his first season, he scored 15 goals and 55 points, exactly 60 points fewer than the year before. He collected even fewer points in 2023-24, with just 12 goals and 52 points and a team-worst minus-29 rating. Despite bouncing back with 28 goals and 62 points in 2024-25, he only skated in 50 games last year, scoring 10 goals and 25 points.
In 2026-27, Huberdeau's contract will count 10.1% towards the Flames' cap, and at 33, many believe his best days are behind him. Hopefully, coming back from hip surgery will give him a chance to find chemistry with the team's young core, but for the past few seasons, Calgary has been one of the lowest teams in the NHL.
Considering his hefty salary, everyone expects more from Huberdeau, but with unappealing statistics, it makes it almost impossible to trade him and offer him a change of scenery and a fresh start.
Wolf is the only reason the Flames haven't hit rock bottom
All-Rookie goalie Wolf is about to begin his new contract extension, which will pay him $7.5 million for the next seven seasons. As the undisputed number one goalie, the Flames will only go as far as Wolf can carry them. Last year, for the first time in his professional hockey career, he produced a losing season, posting a 23-29-3 record as Calgary secured the fourth-best draft lottery odds.
As the organization continues to rebuild, Wolf is the only reason one of the lowest-scoring teams isn't being run out of every building they play in. He had a spectacular 2024-25 campaign, going 29-16-8 and kept the Flames close to a wildcard spot, only losing out in the final weeks of the season.
Throughout their history, Calgary has had some great goalies, but there hasn't been a single youngster to come in and ignite the fanbase as Wolf has since Miikka Kiprusoff in the early 2000s.
Do you agree with The Athletic's assessments of the league's best and worst contracts? Are their opinions on Huberdeau and Wolf valid? Let us know what you think in the comments.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 18: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros pitches in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Daikin Park on July 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (50-54) begin a 3-game series tonight vs. the Chicago White Sox (54-47) at Rate Field.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti (7-5, 4.34 ERA) will start for the Astros as he takes on White Sox RHP Davis Martin (9-5, 3.31 ERA).
ROAD WARRIORS: Tonight is the 1st game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros, during which they are scheduled to play 3-game sets vs. the Chicago White Sox (Fri.-Sun.) and the Los Angeles Angels (Mon.-Wed.).
The Astros are 17-12 on their last four road trips combined and are 23-18 on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season.
ROAD SLUGGING: The Astros are T-1st in the AL in road HR while ranking 2nd in road OPS (.743) and road SLG (.420) and 4th in road runs scored (243).
VS. THE CHISOX: The Astros are facing the White Sox for the 1st time in 2026. They were 3-3 vs. CWS last season, going 2-1 at home and 1-2 here in Chicago. The Astros are 20-13 vs. CWS over the past 5 seasons (2021-25), posting winning records in each of those seasons. HOU is 53-46 all-time vs. CWS.
SPENCER’S GIFTS: RHP Spencer Arrighetti will make his 17th start of the season tonight and his 2nd since the All-Star Break. In his last start on July 18 vs. BAL, he was solid, allowing just 1 hit and 1 R in 5.0 IP, but ended up with ND in an eventual, 4-2 Astros loss in 11.0 innings.
Pitcher of the Month: Named AL Pitcher of the Month for May, after posting a 4-1 record in his 5 starts with an 0.93 ERA (3ER/29IP) and a .165 opponent batting average. Tonight will be Arrighetti’s 3rd career start/app. vs. CWS and his first since Aug. 16, 2024 at Daikin Park (11-5 loss, 5.2 IP, 4 ER). He has made 1 career start/app. at Rate Field, which was on June 20, 2024 (ND in 5-3 win, 4.1 IP, 3 ER).
MOVING UP THE LIST: Manager Joe Espada earned his 225th win as the Astros skipper on Wednesday night, moving him past Terry Collins and into 10th place all-time in club history. Hal Lanier (254 wins) is 9th on the list.
FIRST BLOOD: The Astros rank 1st in the AL and 2nd in the Majors in 1st-inning runs (68). Additionally, HOU is 35-15 when scoring 1st this season.
CLOSE CALLS: The Astros are 31-20 in games decided by 2 runs or less, 22-12 in 2-run games, 9-8 in 1-run games.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez is a strong AL MVP candidate as he enters tonight leading the league in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking 1st in batting average (.328), HR (34), and RBI (77). Additionally, he currently leads all of baseball in OPS (1.089), OBP (.433), SLG (.656) TB (244), and in the AL, he also ranks 1st in hits (122), 1st in XBH (54), tied 1st in runs (69), and 4th in walks (66).
HOT STREAK: Yordan Alvarez enters tonight with a 9-game hitting streak, during which he is hitting a sizzling .515 (17×33) with 4 2B, 5 HR and 10 RBI with a 1.691 OPS.
HISTORIC HOMERS: Yordan Alvarez has 34 HR through the Astros’ 1st 104 games, which are the 2nd-most in franchise history at this point in a season(per Elias):
Most HR thru 104 G: Jeff Bagwell-35 (‘94)
Most HR thru 105 G: Jeff Bagwell-36 (‘94), Jeff Bagwell-35 (‘99)
PEÑA POWER: Jeremy Peña has homered in 3 consecutive games, becoming the 5th different Astros SS to do so. The others are: Carlos Correa, Jed Lowrie, Andujar Cedeno, Craig Reynolds. In Peña’s last 3 games, he is 5×12 (.417) with 3 HR, 5 R and 6 RBI.
Last Time It Happened (Astros)
Last SS to Homer in 3 consecutive games: Correa (8/9-11, 2016)
Last SS to Homer in 4 consecutive games: Has never happened
Last Astro to Homer in 4 consecutive games: Alex Bregman (8/10-12, 2024)
HIT PAREDES: Isaac Paredes has hit safely in 8 straight games at .387 (12×31) with 2 HR and 7 RBI in that span. Since June 3, Paredes is batting .303 (46×152) with 21 runs scored, 6 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 30 RBI and 18 walks in 41 games.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Astros rank 2nd in the AL in fielding pct. (.988) and have the 2nd-fewest errors in the AL (43). 1B Christian Walker has led the way, as he has not committed an error in his 99 games played at 1B…dating back to last season, Walker has not made an error in his last 127 games at 1B (last error was Aug. 23, 2025 at BAL).
TAPPING FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 73 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (60%). 2B Jose Altuve has been successful on 15-of-23 challenges (65%), ranking third in the Majors in challenges won. 3B Isaac Paredes (11-for-12) has been the most efficient challenger for the Astros.
BRYAN’S BACK: RHP Bryan Abreu has a 1.86 ERA (2ER/9.2IP) in his last 9 apps. with a .156 opp. avg. in that span. Additionally, since May 1, he has a 2.55 ERA (7ER/24.2IP) in 26 apps., and is 5-for-5 in save opportunities in that span. Prior to May 1, Abreu had a 12.54 ERA in his 1st 11 apps. of the season.
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader, who is 11-for-11 in save opp. with a 1.47 ERA, enters tonight with 238 career SV, needing 1 more to move past LHP Sparky Lyle for 5th place all-time among LH relievers.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2020 – After nearly four months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Astros host the Mariners for Opening Day 2020 at an empty Daikin Park. It marks the latest Opening Day in club history. The game ends in an 8-2 Astros win, giving the club their 8th straight Opening Day victory. RHP Justin Verlander makes his 12th career Opening Day start and earns the win after tossing 6.0 innings and allowing two runs on three hits.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, July 24, 6:40 p.m. CT
Location: Rate Field, Chicago, IL
TV: SCHN
Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
BRONX, NY - JULY 17: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game against the New York Yankees on July 17, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Borough of the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Dodgers (65-38) continue their long road trip with a three game series against the Mets (43-60) in New York.
Roki Sasaki (3-5, 4.98 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) hopes to build off his impressive start against the Yankees.
Left-hander Sean Manaea (2-5, 4.74 ERA, 1.36) takes the mound for the Mets.
Micah Parsons had one question after LeBron James chose Philadelphia over Golden State: Why does nobody seem to want to play with Stephen Curry?
“Nobody wants to play with my man Curry man I don’t get it!!” Parsons wrote on X. “All he do is win!! What is going on in the Bay!!???”
James became the latest major name to pass on Golden State, agreeing to a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers. The Warriors had spent weeks trying to sell LeBron on the notion of a final championship run alongside Curry and Draymond Green. But, James instead joined Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.
For Parsons, the frustration was personal.
Myles Garrett Flexes on Micah Parsons for 35 Minutes Bleacher Report
The Packers pass rusher has spent years defending Curry against critics and campaigning for him in basketball debates. During the Warriors’ 2022 playoff run, Parsons regularly celebrated Curry’s performances, compared his impact to Michael Jordan and continued backing him even when Golden State was eliminating the Dallas Mavericks while Parsons was still playing for the Cowboys.
More recently, Parsons took issue with Emmanuel Acho, who ranked Curry fifth among active NBA players at their peaks.
“I’m sorry, not having Curry first is disrespectful!” Parsons wrote.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) celebrates after sacking Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Acho argued that LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo offered more two-way value. Parsons’ position was simpler: Curry’s four championships, two MVP awards and transformation of modern basketball should place him at the front of the conversation.
He has even turned Curry’s name into a universal compliment. When Travis Kelce began dating Taylor Swift, Parsons compared Kelce’s new relationship to reaching the god-like status of Curry.
That long-running admiration explains why James’ decision struck a nerve.
The Warriors have repeatedly explored adding another star as Curry’s championship window narrows, only to fall short with targets including James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and a possible Kevin Durant reunion.
Stephen Curry (4) and guard LeBron James (6) of Team USA react in the second half against France USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Curry remains one of basketball’s most accomplished and unselfish stars. Yet Golden State keeps discovering that his résumé alone cannot erase concerns about age, injuries, roster depth and the Western Conference.
Parsons may not understand why stars keep passing.
Apr 3, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A general view outside Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox home opener game against the San Diego Padres. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
An Apple TV game, because MLB will never turn down a dollar.
It would be nice to win a game or two this series.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 06: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians gestures while rounding the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on June 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 10: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kyle Sheridan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Athletics opened this weeklong road trip by losing two out of three to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Following an off day yesterday, the A’s are back in action today as they begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, who at 51-53, are 4 1/2 games back of the American League Central lead and 2 1/2 games behind the third and final AL Wild Card spot.
Right-handed reliever Yunior Tur’s MLB debut did not go well, as he allowed 14 runs in his first 2 2/3 innings. Hopefully Tur can work on what wrong at Triple-A, so he comes back to the majors more prepared to succeed.
The player replacing him, right-hander Luis Morales, has been one of the team’s biggest disappointments this season, struggling both in the big leagues and the minor leagues. With the A’s out of contention, getting Morales, a former top prospect, back on track would be a big boost for the pitching staff moving forward.
Game Preview
Left-hander Jacob Lopez will make the start for the A’s to kick off the series in the Twin Cities. The 28-year-old enters his 16th appearance and 13th start of the season with a 4-4 record, a 6.64 ERA, a 1.73 WHIP and 49 strikeouts over 59 2/3 innings.
Lopez made a successful return to the starting rotation in his most recent appearance, allowing just two runs on two hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. In that outing against the Washington Nationals, his pitch count was limited because it was his first true start since being recalled from Triple-A. Tonight, the A’s need Lopez to provide more length given the concerns surrounding their beleaguered bullpen. A quality start against a Twins lineup that has scored the seventh-most runs in the league would be a welcome sight for an A’s pitching staff that has endured significant struggles this season.
He’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s third-year right-hander Zebby Matthews, who enters his 13th start of the season with a 4-7 record, a 5.40 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over 70 innings. The 26-year-old is coming off a rough outing against the Chicago Cubs, allowing eight runs on nine hits in just three innings.
This will be Matthews’ second career start against the A’s. On June 4, 2025, he earned the win after holding the A’s to one run on four hits over five innings. However, he enters tonight’s game in poor form, so the Athletics’ injury-depleted offense must capitalize on any mistake pitches the young right-hander leaves over the plate.
The A’s will send out the following lineup against Matthews:
Nothing too surprising about this Athletics starting nine. Shortstop Jacob Wilson and third baseman Tommy White will look to continue their strong performances on this road trip. If the A’s want to win this Friday night contest, they will need production from the bottom of the order, where struggling right fielder Lawrence Butler and center fielder Henry Bolte will look to provide a spark.
Byron Buxton, one of the best center fielders in the sport, is the leader of the Twins offense. Lopez will also have to be careful when pitching to well-traveled designated hitter Josh Bell and catcher Ryan Jeffers, who could be a trade candidate at the upcoming deadline.
Time to get back on the winning side of things and generate some good vibes heading into the weekend. Let’s go A’s!
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All in all, with the resources that this team possesses and the lack of holes to fill, to look for a catching addition feels like a given. Perhaps more than what we may see with the bat, the Dodgers ought to look at adding a steady presence, a catcher who can be relied on to not only do his job but also excel behind the plate defensively.
What adds layers to this debate is that for a team on the market for a catcher, there are legit game-changing options to at least call about. Although none of them are explicitly on the block, controllable beyond just this current campaign, Hunter Goodman, Shea Langeliers, and Adley Rutschman each could be seen within reason as trade candidates. Acquiring any of them, though, would inevitably back the Dodgers into a corner down the line since Smith is going nowhere long-term.
Perhaps in Minnesota, the Dodgers might find targets that are more their speed in Ryan Jeffers or Victor Caratini. Quietly, one of the better-hitting catchers in the AL over the last four seasons, Jeffers has been phenomenal with a .933 OPS in a short sample (44 games) due to missed time this year. With Caratini, who is under contract through next season at a reasonable rate, the Dodgers would be getting stability above all else, adding a player perfectly willing to fade into a backup role down the line. Caratini might even provide Rushing insurance if the youngster hits his way into staying on as a starter in the playoffs.
Taking into account the experience, or lack thereof, of players such as Eliezer Alfonso and Chuckie Robinson, adding a backstopper who’s been there in a postseason environment for the off chance Smith doesn’t return is good business.
Mets president of baseball ops David Stearns met with the media prior to Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers to discuss a number of different topics…
When may we see some deals...
With Thursday's complete off day in the schedule, there had been some hope that we could potentially see some trade deadline moves start to take shape.
However, that ended up not being the case.
So, Stearns was asked when we could potentially see some reach the finish line.
"Every deadline moves a little at its own pace," he said. "A week and a half is an eternity at deadline season; we see it every year -- there are active discussions going on throughout the industry, that is certainly the case.
"When deals ultimately get across the finish line, it's tough to tell, but there's always the acceleration of deals at the deadline; we see that every year -- but when exactly we make our first deal would be tough for me to predict."
Will either of the catchers go?
With so many contenders looking to add catching ahead of the deadline, there has been some buzz that the Mets could look to move on from one of their backstops.
Francisco Alvarez is still just 24 years old and is under club control through the 2029 season.
Luis Torrens is one of baseball's more steady backups, and he just signed a two-year extension with the club.
While both would likely net a relatively decent return, Stearns doesn’t exactly sound too eager to move on from either with the team still looking to contend next year.
“Catching is really important,” he said. “We’re very fortunate to have two really good ones.”
State of the starting rotation
Stearns also broke down what he’s seen from the group from a long-term lens.
“We have some young starters who are performing really well that we are very excited about -- we have some pitching coming behind it, some of which has progressed nicely and some have hit some speed bumps,” he said.
“So from a young starting perspective, we still feel pretty good about where we are as an organization -- but it’s also an area that we’ll have to look to supplement as we head into 2027, but we’ll get to that as we get to planning for 2027.”
The performing youngsters, of course, are Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton, who have been putting their talents on full display in the majors of late.
That is a solid trio for the Mets to build around, but there's no denying they need more.
